Secrets of Success

Please note these are member-submitted secrets and are not reviewed by SparkPeople's health experts for accuracy. If you feel a secret is inappropriate, please click the "Report Inappropriate Secret" on the secret's page and our staff will review it.

I love cocoa roasted almonds as an occassional snack. I stopped buying the snack packs and started buying the large bags. I count out 15 almonds (approximately 100 calories) and put them in a baggie to take for a treat at work.

Instead of throwing away old make-up, consider contacting a local funeral facility and donate it to their stock. Many facilities keep large amounts of makeup on hand and appreciate the compassion shown by donators for families who can't afford the emotional or financial cost of preparing their loved ones for viewing.

I get frustrated when I watch the scales stand still...so I look at the whole picture. In cold weather, it's not as hard to bundle up. My clothes are loose enough now to put on layers.....THAT's a positive feeling!!!! What the scales don't show is size loss.

Especially during this holiday season, try being extra thoughtful to community servants like sales clerks, waitresses, policemen, and anyone who has to work face to face in the public realm everyday. Smile, read their name tags and call them by name, leave larger tips than usual, and work at not being overly demanding. Be the customer that will leave a positive impression.

use thegift/ gas cards that are found at stores like Walmart and offer 3 cents off a gallon at their station when used to purchase gas. 45-75 cents may not seem much to save on 1 fill up, but if you fill 2 times monthly you save about 20.00 annually ....half a tank of gas.

CLEAN OUT THE HOUSE!!!! Instead of telling yourself "I can't have this or that" or throwing out food, take leftover cake, pies, cookies to your neighbor (cut it up in slices as though you were serving it at your table), put on a tray and decorated with a card that says..."Just thought I'd serve you desert"

My daughter will turn 30 in a year and I wanted to give her a fun gift so I found a bank with her coming age on it. Every Friday I clean out my pockets and shove the loose change into the bank. It has a stopper in the bottom and I can keep tabs as I save. I only put quarters and paper bills in.

When I use a coupon I put the saved change (the amount of the coupon) in my savings.Places like Krogers put the amount saved on the bottom of the receipt and it helps keep track of the amount to go into the bank.

There is nothing that cannot be accomplished through a positive human spirit. When you feel like there's no body who will help you succeed, stop! Take a look in the mirror and GET GOING. You are the one person who understands you and knows exactly what you need to keep going.

Several times a day, get up and move around and focus on absolutely nothing. If you can get outside, walk through grass or through the parking lot looking for an odd rock or a lost coin...but just let your mind get away from serious matters for 5 or 10 minutes and take a mind break.

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